Shoulder decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings for recurrent dislocation and degenerative changes of the right shoulder, evaluated as 10 percent disabling, and PTSD, currently rated at 50 percent. The case is being remanded due to incomplete documentation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability and erectile dysfunction were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board found no evidence to support a connection between these conditions and service, including exposure to herbicides.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, tinnitus, hypertension, and dental trauma were denied as there is insufficient evidence to support the diagnoses or a causal relationship between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence for epididymitis from February 27, 2006, to March 29, 2006, is denied. The issues of entitlement to an earlier effective date and service connection for a left shoulder disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for scheduling of a VA examination. The RO/AMC will also consider the referred matters of service connection for left shoulder and left wrist conditions, secondary to service-connected right radial nerve paralysis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased disability rating, service connection, and special monthly compensation. The claim of reopening a previously denied lumbosacral strain with left sciatic neuritis was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims, including a TDIU claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder muscle disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for Muscle Group III and 10 percent for Muscle Group IV.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease is currently rated at 40 percent, effective September 16, 2005. The AMC granted a separate 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that a chronic right shoulder disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, lumbar spine, and thoracic spine disabilities were not incurred in service or due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal with regard to his claims for service connection for various conditions. The RO denied these claims in April 2006, and the Veteran was notified of this decision on April 24, 2006.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since the grant of service connection, considering his full range of motion with no additional limitation due to pain or other factors. The condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings based on ankylosis or impairment of function.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left shoulder and left knee disabilities are related to his military service, while his right eye disability is likely due to a traumatic injury during service. The claims for these conditions have been granted.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently evaluated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder disorder, hip disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and type II diabetes mellitus. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records.